Time out in DS's preschool is a 2 liter bottle full of colored water and glitter. You have to shake it like crazy to get your frustration out, and then you can get up when all the glitter is at the bottom. The kids sit and watch it.

It really helps him.

I am so glad I stumbled on this; what a cool idea!

I did want to chime in with a variation on deep breathing; if you take a deep breath and then let it out with a long audible "Hhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" (not "aaah" but "HHHaaaaaa") it stimulates the vagus nerve on either side of the neck, which in turn stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which is the "rest and digest" system (as opposed to the "fight or flight" sympathetic nervous system). We've been doing this with DS who is 2.5 and it really helps him. He is a scream your head off and throw things kind of kid when things don't go his way.

__________________Kimberly, wife to Martin , Catholic, Waldorf, RIE inspired mama to Benjamin David(2-14-11) and Mariah Celeste(3/28/13) Trying everyday to love this world in the right way.

My toddler is extremely sensitive and sounds a lot like your LO. I have a calming bag for him. If he's upset, he picks something out of it (we have the glitter glue bottles, my many colored days and similar emotions books, one of those sand sensory balls, etc. i think i'll be adding a pinwheel!) We also do deep breathing and counting when he's NOT upset, and he's started to naturally take deep breaths/count to ten when he gets upset, even without my prompting. I've also been wanting to make either a felt or magnetic "emotions/feelings board": print out different expressions that correspond with feelings, and he can pick out how he's feeling. Hope some of this helps, having a highly reactive/emotional little one can be taxing, but the upside is that since he expresses many of his emotions to extremes, he can also be amazingly happy, creative, and funny

These are a few links to things we use. I have things for my 3.5 year old and my 10 year old. The first is a Tangle. There are a few varieties of these but I like this one best and it seems to be the most sturdy.

Then there's Rody. He's awesome to bounce on to get out any energy. He holds up to 250 lbs so even my big kids boing on him. He comes in a bunch of different colors. I'd recommend buying the tool to inflate him. It just makes life easier.

These are a few links to things we use. I have things for my 3.5 year old and my 10 year old. The first is a Tangle. There are a few varieties of these but I like this one best and it seems to be the most sturdy.

Then there's Rody. He's awesome to bounce on to get out any energy. He holds up to 250 lbs so even my big kids boing on him. He comes in a bunch of different colors. I'd recommend buying the tool to inflate him. It just makes life easier.

Slightly OT but how large are your kids who enjoy Rody? I have been eyeing one for my boys but they are older. My oldest is 12 but considerably small for his age (he is almost 5ft but under 70lbs) and my youngest is 7.

I saw a pinterest post about "time out bottles." You could google it for the recipe. Basically you mix glue, glitter, and glitter glue, shake it up and the child watches it settle. It's meant for time outs but is also great for helping a child calm down ("let's sit quietly and watch the glitter settle.") I haven't made them yet but it's on my to do list.

ETA: clearly I need to read the thread before responding since many people already mentioned this :-)